ABOUT OUR PROJECT
Plant a Tree - Grow a School
West Cork Sdubury School has teamed up with Future Forests garden centre.
Our mission is to reforest small pockets of native Irish woodland and raise funds for our school. These woodlands will become arks for wildlife, be left to grow for posterity and do all the amazing things that trees and woodlands do.
For as little as €10, you can take part in this inspiring project - plant a native tree, help the environment and directly support self-directed, democratic learning at West Cork Sudbury School.
Thank you - and Welcome!
Be Part of the Future
“If what I say resonates with you, it is merely because we are both branches on the same tree.”
~ W. B. Yeats
We are planting and planning for the future - help us to plant native Irish trees and take part in supporting both our future biodiversity and our growing school.
When you plant a tree with West Cork Sudbury School, all you have to do is make a donation - the school's students and staff will plant your tree for you in newly managed areas in West Cork where the landscape was once thick with woodland.
Plant a Tree
“When we plant a tree, we plant hope.”
~ Wangari Maathai
We are passionate about the environment
- and planting hope.
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Our trees, which are fully donated by Future Forests Garden Centre, will be hand-picked to suit each planting site - all native species, in as diverse a range as possible.
These trees will be left to grow for posterity. Your trees will become part of a network of diverse woodlands, and havens for wildlife.
Arks to support all life.
Grow a School
“Education is only a ladder to gather fruit from the tree of knowledge,
not the fruit itself.”
~ Albert Einstein
​Guided by the principles of play-based and experiential learning, WCSS empowers students to steer their own education.
Our students are immersed in an inspiring educational community of motivated learners with access to cultural tools, respectful mentors, and the freedom to make choices. In such an environment, it doesn’t take long for curiosity to spark!
The Sudbury model celebrates the innate curiosity of every learner where instead of being taught, students learn how to learn.
In an era where soft skills take centre stage in the workforce, our students excel in communication, critical thinking, teamwork, and problem-solving. By directing their own education they cultivate confidence and self-initiative as well as the skills to navigate conflicts and participate as members in a democratic community.
HOW TO PURCHASE
Be Part of the Future
Simply decide how many trees you would like to plant, make your donation and click on the link provided in your confirmation email to receive your eCertificate.
The school's students and staff will plant your tree for you in a newly managed area in West Cork where the landscape was once thick with woodland.
A UNIQUE GIFT
What better gift than a warm promise of growth, renewal and hope for the future? It's easy! Simply decide how many trees you want to plant, make your donation and click on the link provided in your confirmation email to fill in your friend's name in the form. Their eCertificate will be emailed to you and you can forward it to them with your personal message.
Keep Planting
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With a monthly subscription of €20, 25 trees will be planted for you during the bareroot season (Nov-Mar). The equivalent of 2 trees a month plus one bonus tree. With your donation, WCSS will plant the trees for you.
All proceeds are in aid of WCSS and Ireland's re-forestation. You are helping WCSS and the environment.
THANK YOU!
470
TREES PLANTED
3
MICRO FORESTS
€7,206
FUNDS RAISED
2022
LAUNCHED
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ABOUT OUR TREES
Plant a Tree
Why Plant More Trees?
Sources: Trees for Life
Tree People
Air
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Help prevent the climate crisis - Excess carbon dioxide (CO2) is building up in our atmosphere, contributing to climate change. Trees absorb CO2, removing and storing the carbon while releasing oxygen back into the air. In one year, an acre of mature trees absorbs the same amount of CO2 produced when you drive your car 26,000 miles.
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Providing oxygen - ​In one year an acre of mature trees can provide enough oxygen for 18 people.
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Trees clean the air we breathe - Trees absorb odours and pollutant gases (nitrogen oxides, ammonia, sulphur dioxide and ozone) and filter particulates out of the air by trapping them on their leaves and bark.
What are We Planting?
Common Alder (Fearnóg)
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One of Ireland's most widely distributed trees, often found in damp boggy areas and along river banks. Like most broad-leaved trees, Alnus glutinosa flowers before the leaves are out with attractive long reddish catkins appearing as early as January. The female flowers produce small cones, and these can stay on the tree all winter.
The timber has been used in building bridges & underwater foundations, for smoking foods, for joinery, turning and carving and it also makes good firewood.
The common alder provides food and shelter to wildlife, with a number of insects, lichens and fungi being completely dependent on the tree. Also a very good soil-enhancing tree due to its nitrogen-fixing capabilities.
Alnus glutinosa is fast growing, tolerant of very wet and very poor soils and very tolerant of wind - one of our most robust native trees.
Where are We Planting?
Coomhola Valley
Someone once said, 'Start where you are,' and that is what we have done.
Our first tree site is located in the Coomhola valley not far from the school. The proximity of the school means the students will be easily able to participate in the tree planting.
Tucked under the Caha mountains, the valley receives high rainfall and trees grow well.
Downey Birch, Willow, Rowan and Alder naturally abound here - Holly, Scots Pine and Oak are also prevalent.
Thank you to the following organisations
for their input to our information:
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Trees for Life - rewilding the Scottish Highlands by enabling the restoration of the globally unique Caledonian Forest.
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Tree People - Tree People’s mission is to inspire, engage and support people to take personal responsibility for the urban environment, making it safe, healthy, fun and sustainable and to share our process as a model for the world.
ABOUT OUR SCHOOL
Grow A School
West Cork Sudbury School
WCSS is a Democratic School of Self-Directed Learning - part of a movement towards a very different model of education, where students have an equal part in the democratic running of the school itself and where they decide what, when and how they learn.
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We hope that the Plant a Tree - Grow a School initiative will give you a tangible option to help the Irish environment and support our growing school.
The Plant a Tree - Grow a School initiative was conceived of and initiated during the weekly school meetings which involve all students and staff - and it will continue to evolve in the same process.
The Process - How Everyone is involved:
ABOUT OUR PARTNERS
Who We Are
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We are a family run business with a passion for growing and our environment, and one of the leading mail order plant providers in Ireland. With our roots firmly planted in the wilds of West Cork we have been inspired to work alongside our unique environmental heritage to evolve an ethical business where our values and ethos lead the way.
From humble beginnings 30 years ago we have been pioneering the gardens, orchards and woodlands of the future, developing to a committed, experienced team.
With years of business expertise behind us we have established strong relationships with growers and suppliers in Ireland and beyond.As our name suggests, the future is important to us. As growers, educators and innovators we believe we have the responsibility to protect and ensure the future of our diverse landscape and environment. Our intention is to leave a legacy that our future ancestors will be proud of. We’d love to support you to do so too.
Mattie & Maria
And Finally
Thank You for Joining Us!